*This article contains spoilers for Shazam #2 (2023)*
Here is an example of a near perfect issue. Writer Mark Waid has brought another great chapter in his Shazam run, this time balancing the light and dark parts of The Captain with near perfection.
The Shazam family are all concerned over The Captain’s outburst on the news—The Captain is usually kind and good, whatever made him snap, it damaged the name of Shazam. Everyone wonders why Billy/Captain did it, why he felt so above everyone, why his hubris elevated him to the status of God in his mind. It is a valid question. Mind Control? Overload of Shazam powers? Something else completely?
The conversation is derailed as an alien dinosaur knocks at the door, explaining to Billy how The Captain violated intergalactic law by fixing an alien ship with magic. Science and magic do not mix, which is common sense! This humor is welcome and breaks up an intense conversation—it is enough to get the reader through the darkness at the beginning and the darkness at the end of the issue. It is not DC Comics without a touch of darkness, but Mark Waid knows how to balance the two.
As Billy strolls through his city, trying to clear his mind, Freddy catches up with him. Billy confides in Freddy what he felt as the outburst happened—it was as though he was bigger than everyone. Their conversation is also cut short as the two witness a flock of civilians running from a museum. The villain Psycho Pirate is hard at work raiding the museum for art which evokes emotion—since Psycho Pirate is addicted to emotion. Freddy and Billy both come to the realization Psycho Pirate might be behind the mood outburst.
The Captain emerges and clears pathways for people while making his way into the museum. Though The Captain becomes wreckless in his fight with Psycho Pirate. Bullets fly right off him and destroy priceless paintings. Displays are destroyed. Chaos. Pure chaos.
As Psycho Pirate hides in a subway car—yes, the parallel of a subway car being where Billy got his powers is not lost—The Captain pursues. The Captain calls upon his lightning powers and is about to kill Psycho Pirate when he realizes what he is doing. He stops himself and leaves in shame. Something is terribly wrong with The Captain.
Epilogue: Freddy ventures into the Rock of Eternity looking for new powers to make him a hero once again. Though, instead he comes across Gods—the gods who make up the name Shazam—and they recognize Freddy.
Epilogue II: Mary returns home and falls asleep… “to be continued next month in Knight Terrors: Shazam (2023).”
Overall, Mark Waid has been killing it on this title. The balance of light and dark is managed so well, it still feels like fun Shazam, while also having a melancholy or darkness about it. This series feels natural, as though it were always meant to exist, but was waiting for the right time to emerge. A true success so far.
Rating: 4/5 Stars. Mark Waid is a perfect writer for Shazam. I cannot wait for the next issue to come out. This is a heavy hitter series with a good pace. Highly recommend it.
Suggested reading: Shazam: The Monster Society of Evil (2007). This is a short 4-issue mini-series which tells a great Shazam story. It is perfect for anyone learning about the Shazam pantheon, as both Billy and Mary are central characters to the story.
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